Making school uniform more affordable has been identified as a main issue for many families.

Respondents to a consultation on school uniforms have supported plans to bring in new national guidance aimed at reducing the cost of uniforms for families as many continue to grapple with the cost of living crisis.

The new guidance also aims to promote equality and inclusion around uniform policy.

Scottish Government Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth welcomed the feedback and confirmed that a working group has been set up to consider next steps.

Ms Gilruth said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in this consultation. It is clear that more must be done to ensure that school uniforms are more affordable, especially as families face financial hardship due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. It is also important that uniforms are more sustainable and inclusive to all.

“We have established a school uniform working group to seriously consider the responses to this consultation. This will inform new guidance around school uniforms before it becomes statutory later in this parliamentary term.”

Among the responses in the consultation were calls for the option of being able to buy uniform items from high street shops, and allowing generic uniform items.

Responses referencing colours were in favour of easier to obtain colours, such as navy, blue or black.

Other suggestions for reducing the cost of uniforms included having logo-free uniform items and by banning designer labels and footwear.

There were also suggestions that schools should not have blazers as these are expensive and not well-suited to the Scottish climate.

The aim of this guidance will be to support local authorities and schools to develop and implement their own uniform policies, seeking to address equalities issues and reduce the cost of school uniform.